Integrated variable view optical adapter for an optical scope

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to an optical adapter for an optical scope. The optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit. The optical adapter is coupled to an end of the tube. The optical adapter defines a proximate end and a distal end. The optical adapter includes a casing defining a longitudinal direction. The casing includes a first wall and a second wall, in which the first wall and the second wall define a first viewing port therebetween. The second wall defines a second viewing port. The optical adapter further includes a hinge coupled to the first wall, a reflecting lens defining a first end separated from a second end in the longitudinal direction, in which the first end is coupled to the hinge, and an actuator coupled to the first wall and to the second end of the reflecting lens. The actuator pivots the reflecting lens about the hinge from a retracted position adjacent to the first wall to an extended position toward the second wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to optical adapters foroptical scopes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical scopes are used as an inspection tool to view inside anapparatus such as a gas turbine engine. Optical scopes, such asborescopes, include a removable optical adapter tip at an end of theoptical scope. The optical adapter is generally suited for variouspurposes, such as providing a discrete direction of view. The opticalscope, including the optical adapter, is ingressed into the apparatusfor viewing and assessing internal components.

Generally if another discrete direction of view is desired, the opticalscope must be egressed from the apparatus and the optical adapter is tobe removed and replaced with another optical adapter with anotherdiscrete direction of view. Egressing and replacing optical adaptersresults in added time, cost, and difficulty of an inspection andassessment. Additionally, subsequent repeated ingressing may increaserisk of damage to the optical scope or components within the apparatus.

Therefore, there is a need for an optical adapter that provides aplurality of viewing directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

The present disclosure is directed to an optical adapter for an opticalscope. The optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit. The opticaladapter is coupled to an end of the tube. The optical adapter defines aproximate end and a distal end. The optical adapter includes a casingdefining a longitudinal direction. The casing includes a first wall anda second wall, in which the first wall and the second wall define afirst viewing port therebetween. The second wall defines a secondviewing port. The optical adapter further includes a hinge coupled tothe first wall, a reflecting lens defining a first end separated from asecond end in the longitudinal direction, in which the first end iscoupled to the hinge, and an actuator coupled to the first wall and tothe second end of the reflecting lens. The actuator pivots thereflecting lens about the hinge from a retracted position adjacent tothe first wall to an extended position toward the second wall.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an opticalscope. The optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit and anoptical adapter coupled to an end of the tube.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of an optical scope including anexemplary optical adapter in a retracted position;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an optical scope including anexemplary optical adapter in an extended position; and

FIG. 3 is another exemplary embodiment of an optical scope including anexemplary optical adapter.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and “third” may be usedinterchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are notintended to signify location or importance of the individual components.The terms “proximate” and “distal” refer to spatial relevance withrespect to a datum.

Embodiments of an integrated variable view optical adapter for anoptical scope are generally provided. The embodiments of the opticaladapter may provide a plurality of viewing directions while obviatingthe need to remove and replace the optical adapter to acquire a secondviewing direction. The optical adapter may provide a first direction ofview and a second direction of view using the same optical adapter. Invarious embodiments, the optical adapter may decrease the risk of damageto the optical scope and/or components within the apparatus (e.g. gasturbine engine) being inspected by decreasing the quantityingress/egress iterations due to changing optical adapters. Furthermore,the optical adapter may increase inspection and maintenance efficiency,thus reducing costs, by acquiring a plurality of viewing directions fromthe optical adapter.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary embodimentsof optical adapters 100 for an optical scope 90. The optical scope 90includes a tube 92 defining a conduit 93. The optical adapter 100 iscoupled to an end 91 of the tube 92. The optical adapter 100 defines aproximate end 102 and a distal end 103. The proximate end 102 is nearestto the end 91 of the tube 92 of the optical scope 90. The distal end 103is farthest from the end 91 of the tube 92 and of the optical scope 90.The optical adapter 100 is coupled at the proximate end 102 to the end91 of the tube 92.

The optical adapter 100 includes a casing 110, a hinge, 120, areflecting lens 130, and an actuator 140. The casing 110 defines alongitudinal direction L extending from the proximate end 102 toward thedistal end 103. The casing 110 further includes a first wall 112 and asecond wall 114. The first wall 112 and the second wall 114 may extendalong longitudinal direction L. The first wall 112 and the second wall114 define a first viewing port 116 therebetween. The second wall 114further defines a second viewing port 118. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the second viewing port 118 is approximately 90 degreesor perpendicular relative to the first viewing port 116. The reflectinglens 130 may include at least one reflective surface. In one embodiment,the reflecting lens 130 is a mirror. In another embodiment, thereflecting lens 130 is a prism.

The hinge 120 of the optical adapter 100 is coupled to the first wall112 of the casing 110. The reflecting lens 130 defines a first end 131disposed toward the proximate end 102 of the optical adapter 100 and asecond end 132 disposed toward the distal end 103 of the optical adapter100. The first end 131 of the reflecting lens 130 is coupled to thehinge 120. In various embodiments of the optical adapter 100 shown inFIGS. 1-3, the hinge 120 may include an assembly including a pin, aknuckle, and leaves. In another embodiment, the hinge 120 is a livinghinge made from a portion of the first wall 112.

The actuator 140 of the optical adapter 100 is coupled to the first wall112 and to the second end 132 of the reflecting lens 130. The actuator140 extends the reflecting lens 130 to pivot about the hinge 120 from aretracted position 150 (shown in FIG. 1) adjacent to the first wall 112to an extended position 151 (shown in FIG. 2) toward the second wall114. In one embodiment of the optical adapter 100, the hinge 120 pivotsthe reflecting lens 130 to an angle 152 of approximately 45 degreesrelative to the first wall 112 in the extended position 151. As shown inFIG. 2, in the extended position 151, the reflecting lens 130 may extendat the angle 152 from the first wall 112 toward the second wall 114. Invarious embodiments, the hinge 120 may pivot the reflecting lens 130 tothe angle 152 of about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees or incrementstherebetween.

Referring to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2, the optical adapter 100may operate by adjusting the actuator 140 to move the reflecting lens130 to change a direction of view. In the retracted position 150, theoptical adapter 100 may define a first direction of view 160 along thelongitudinal direction L through the first viewing port 116. In theextended position 151, the optical adapter 100 may define a seconddirection of view 161 through the second viewing port 118. The seconddirection of view 161 may be approximately 90 degrees or perpendicularto the first direction of view 160. In various embodiments, the seconddirection of view 161 may be less than approximately 90 degrees todefine a second direction of view 161 between the longitudinal directionL and the approximately 90 degrees or perpendicular view.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of an optical adapter100 is shown wherein the first wall 112 defines a recess 113 into whichthe reflecting lens 130 resides when in the retracted position 150. Inone embodiment, the recess 113 may define a depth 115 approximatelyequal to or greater than a thickness 134 of the reflecting lens 130. Thefirst wall 112 defining the recess 113 may further define the depth 115to vary, contour, or otherwise conform to the reflecting lens 130 suchthat the reflecting lens 130 is flush to the first wall 112 when in theretracted position 150. Still further, the first wall 112 defining therecess 113 may define the depth 115 to dispose the hinge 120 within therecess 113 such that the hinge 120 is flush to the first wall 112.

In various embodiments of the optical adapter 100, the first wall 112and the second wall 114 of the casing 110 may be approximately paralleland extend in the longitudinal direction L from the hinge 120 toward thedistal end 103 of the optical adapter 100. In one embodiment, as shownin FIG. 3, the casing 110 defines a rectangular cross sectional area 104from at least the hinge 120 to the distal end 103 of the optical adapter100. The first wall 112 may be disposed opposite of the second wall 114.The casing 110 may further include a pair of walls connecting the firstwall 112 and the second wall 114. In another embodiment, the casing 110defines a circular cross sectional area 106 from at least the hinge 120to the proximate end 102 of the optical adapter 100. In still anotherembodiment, the casing 110 defines the circular cross sectional area 106approximately from the hinge 120 to the proximate end 102 of the opticaladapter 100 and the rectangular cross sectional area 104 approximatelyfrom the hinge 120 to the distal end 103 of the optical adapter 100, anda transition cross sectional area 105 between the circular crosssectional area 106 and the rectangular cross sectional area 104. Thetransition cross sectional area 105 may be a contoured are in which theproximate end 102 is generally circular and the distal end 103 isgenerally rectangular. In yet another embodiment, the proximate end 102of the optical adapter 100 may define threads or snaps to couple theoptical adapter 100 to the optical scope 90.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the optical adapter 100 may further include aviewing lens 135 positioned between the first wall 112 and the secondwall 114 of the casing 110 toward the proximate end 102 of the opticaladapter 100. In other embodiments of the optical adapter 100, theviewing lens 135 may be positioned at the first viewing port 116 betweenthe first wall 112 and the second wall 114, and at the second viewingport 118 within the second wall 114. The viewing lens 135 is atransparent material that focuses light rays to a desired depth of fieldand/or field of view. In one embodiment, the viewing lens 135 is anassembly of transparent materials collectively focusing light rays. Forexample, the viewing lens 135 may be a single transparent materialdefining a curvature. As another non-limiting example, the viewing lens135 may be a plurality of transparent materials. In another embodiment,the viewing lens is a prism. In still another embodiment, the viewinglens 135 is a combination of prisms and other transparent materials.

In one embodiment of the optical adapter 100, the viewing lens 135provides a single two-dimensional image at either the first direction ofview 160 or the second direction of view 161. In another embodiment, theviewing lens 135 may provide a pair of two-dimensional images at anoffset field of view from one another at either the first direction ofview 160 or the second direction of view 161. For example, the viewinglens 135 may include a transparent material or prism that divides thefield of view into a pair of two-dimensional images at an offset fieldof view from one another. As another non-limiting example, the viewinglens 135 is a dual aperture lens or a plurality of lenses that provide astereo view of an object. The pair of two-dimensional images may beprovided as a side-by-side display to the optical scope 90. The offsetfield of view between the pair of images may provide for length, width,or depth measurements of objects in view of the pair of two-dimensionalimages.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the optical adapter 100,the actuator 140 is a mechanical linkage to the first wall 112 and thesecond end 132 of the reflecting lens 130 that moves the reflecting lens130 from the retracted position 150 (shown in FIG. 1) to the extendedposition 151 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). In another embodiment, theactuator 140 is a microactuator that displaces the second end 132 of thereflecting lens 130 through the transmission of an amount of energy. Invarious embodiments, the actuator 140, as a microactuator, may includeelectrostatic, electromagnetic, or piezoelectric microactuators.

Referring still to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the optical scope 90 mayfurther include an energy supply 94 that provides an input energy 95 tothe actuator 140. The input energy 95 may activate the actuator 140, asan electromagnetic microactuator, to push, repel, or otherwise displacethe second end 132 of the reflecting lens 130 from the retractedposition 150 in the first wall 112 to the extended position 151. Inanother embodiment, the input energy 95 may activate the actuator 140,as an electrostatic microactuator, to pull or otherwise displace thesecond end 132 from the extended position 151 to the retracted position150. In yet another embodiment, the actuator 140 may be integrated tothe reflecting lens 130 as a piezoelectric microactuator such that theinput energy 95 may bend or otherwise displace the reflecting lens 130at the angle 152 relative to the first wall 112.

The input energy 95 may be articulated to adjust the angle 152 of theextended position 151. For example, the extended position 151 may bedefined by the angle 152 of approximately 45 degrees relative to thefirst wall 112. As another example, the input energy 95 may bearticulated to adjust the angle 152 to approximately 30 degrees relativeto the first wall 112. As yet another example, the input energy 95 maybe articulated to adjust the angle 152 to approximately 15 degreesrelative to the first wall 112.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical adapter for an optical scope, whereinthe optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit, and wherein theoptical adapter is coupled to an end of the tube, and wherein theoptical adapter defines a proximate end and a distal end, the opticaladapter comprising: a casing defining a longitudinal direction, whereinthe casing includes a first wall and a second wall, wherein the firstwall and the second wall define a first viewing port therebetween,wherein the second wall defines a second viewing port, and wherein thefirst wall defines a recess therein; a hinge coupled to the first wall;a reflecting lens defining a first end separated from a second end inthe longitudinal direction, wherein the first end is coupled to thehinge; and an actuator coupled to the first wall and to the second endof the reflecting lens, wherein the actuator pivots the reflecting lensabout the hinge from a retracted position adjacent to the first wall toan extended position toward the second wall, wherein in the retractedposition, the reflecting lens resides in the recess such that thereflecting lens is flush with the first wall.
 2. The optical adapter ofclaim 1, wherein the recess defines a depth approximately at least equalto a thickness of the reflecting lens.
 3. The optical adapter of claim1, wherein the first wall and the second wall of the casing areapproximately parallel and extended in the longitudinal direction fromthe hinge toward the distal end of the optical adapter.
 4. The opticaladapter of claim 1, wherein the casing defines a rectangular crosssection from at least the hinge to the distal end of the opticaladapter.
 5. The optical adapter of claim 1, wherein in the retractedposition the optical adapter defines a first direction of view throughthe first viewing port and in the extended position the optical adapterdefines a second direction of view through the second viewing port. 6.The optical adapter of claim 1, wherein the hinge pivots the reflectinglens to the extended position, and wherein the extended position definesan approximately 45 degree angle or less relative to the first wall. 7.The optical adapter of claim 1, wherein the second viewing port isapproximately 90 degrees or less relative to the first viewing port. 8.The optical adapter of claim 1, wherein the actuator is anelectromagnetic actuator, an electrostatic actuator, or a piezoelectricactuator.
 9. The optical adapter of claim 1, further comprising: aviewing lens positioned between the first wall and the second wall ofthe casing.
 10. The optical adapter of claim 1, wherein in the retractedposition, the reflecting lens and the hinge are flush with the firstwall.
 11. The optical adapter of claim 1, wherein the casing defines arectangular cross-section from the hinge to the distal end, and whereinthe recess is defined between a first portion of the first wall and asecond portion of the first wall.
 12. An optical scope, the opticalscope comprising: a tube defining a conduit; and an optical adaptercoupled to an end of the tube, wherein the optical adapter defines aproximate end and a distal end, the optical adapter comprising: a casingdefining a longitudinal direction, wherein the casing includes a firstwall and a second wall, wherein the first wall and the second walldefine a first viewing port therebetween, wherein the second walldefines a second viewing port, and wherein the first wall defines arecess therein; a hinge coupled to the first wall; a reflecting lensdefining a first end separated from a second end in the longitudinaldirection, wherein the first end is coupled to the hinge; and anactuator coupled to the first wall and to the second end of thereflecting lens and positioned at least partially within the recess,wherein the actuator moves the reflecting lens from a retracted positionadjacent to the first wall to an extended position, wherein in theretracted position, the reflecting lens resides in the recess such thatthe reflecting lens is flush with the first wall.
 13. The optical scopeof claim 12, wherein the recess defines a depth approximately at leastequal to a thickness of the reflecting lens.
 14. The optical scope ofclaim 12, wherein the first wall and the second wall of the casing areapproximately parallel and extended in the longitudinal direction fromthe hinge toward the distal end of the optical adapter.
 15. The opticalscope of claim 12, wherein in the retracted position the optical adapterdefines a first direction of view through the first viewing port and inthe extended position the optical adapter defines a second direction ofview through the second viewing port.
 16. The optical scope of claim 12,wherein the hinge pivots the reflecting lens to the extended position,and wherein the extended position defines an approximately 45 degreeangle relative to the first wall.
 17. The optical scope of claim 12,wherein the second viewing port is approximately 90 degrees relative tothe first viewing port.
 18. The optical scope of claim 12, the opticalscope further comprising: an energy supply, wherein the energy supplyprovides an input energy to the actuator of the optical adapter.
 19. Theoptical scope of claim 18, wherein the actuator of the optical adapteris an electromagnetic actuator, an electrostatic actuator, or apiezoelectric actuator.
 20. The optical scope of claim 12, wherein thefirst wall is fixed.
 21. An optical adapter for an optical scope,wherein the optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit, andwherein the optical adapter is coupled to an end of the tube, andwherein the optical adapter defines a proximate end and a distal end,the optical adapter comprising: a casing defining a longitudinaldirection, wherein the casing includes a first wall and a second wall,wherein the first wall and the second wall define a first viewing porttherebetween, wherein the second wall defines a second viewing port, andwherein the first wall defines a recess therein; a hinge fixedly coupledto the first wall; a reflecting lens defining a first end separated froma second end in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first end iscoupled to the hinge; and an actuator coupled to the first wall and tothe second end of the reflecting lens, wherein the actuator pivots thereflecting lens about the hinge from a retracted position adjacent tothe first wall to an extended position toward the second wall, whereinin the retracted position, the reflecting lens resides in the recesssuch that the reflecting lens is flush with the first wall.
 22. Theoptical adapter of claim 21, wherein the first wall is fixed.